First images from Portuguese nanosatellite received

“These images represent another step in Portugal’s ability to observe the Atlantic Ocean, which will allow for a detailed analysis of the marine ecosystem and climate patterns,” the two entities said in a statement, calling this step an “important milestone”.

Launched on 4 March, the nanosatellite established communications with Earth through the Santa Maria teleport, in the Azores, operated by the company Thales Edisoft Portugal, on 19 March.

Positioned 510 kilometers above sea level, slightly above the International Space Station, the astronauts' "home", the nanosatellite will observe the Atlantic Ocean in particular for three years.

"This privileged position will allow an in-depth analysis of oceanic phenomena, contributing to a better understanding of marine ecosystems and climate patterns", noted Thales Edisoft Portugal in March, regarding the launch.

The MH-1, a 4.5-kilo nanosatellite whose name pays homage to the former Minister of Science Manuel Heitor, considered by the consortium to be the driving force behind the project, is the second Portuguese satellite to be sent into space, after PoSat-1, a 50-kilo microsatellite that entered Earth's orbit in September 1993 but was deactivated after a decade.

The national Aeros MH-1 consortium includes several Portuguese companies and academic institutions, which are joined by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States, through the MIT-Portugal cooperation program.

The CEiiA engineering center in Matosinhos, one of the partners and which built the nanosatellite, will process the data and images for scientific studies.

The universities of the Algarve, Porto and Minho, the Instituto Superior Técnico, and Imar - Instituto do Mar, among others, provide scientific support to the mission.

The nanosatellite, which began to be worked on in 2020, represents an investment of 2.78 million euros, co-financed with 1.88 million euros by the Feder – European Regional Development Fund.